I "Icing" Still a Thing?

[schwartz83]

We're just getting back from an extended road trip across Washington, Montana and North Dakota. When we first road tripped we were somewhat concerned about yahoos icing chargers.

It only happened once to us in Missoula Montana...the joke was somewhat on him because he iced one that was out of order anyway! and we had already charged up.

Some kids coal rolled us this trip, but whatever. Didn't even really think about getting iced ever. Technically we did get iced once, but it wasn't due anyone being an s$$. It was because the hotel with a level 2 charger reserved the spots - not for EV use, but for their loyalty members.

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[VSG]

Oh I'm sure it happens. Every day I see some entitled person use a parking space they shouldn't be using. Whether it's a handicapped space and they don't have a handicapped permit, or whether it's 15 minute parking for in-car pickup (and they've been there an hour with no one in the car), or whether it's a red curb in front of Costco because they are just running in for a minute to get a hot dog and can't be bothered to find an actual space, etc.

I'm sure a lot of ICEing is in this category - they see a parking spot not being used and figure they have just as much right to use it as anyone else. I'm not sure that there's a lot of people going out of their way to deliberately block a charger in the far corner of a parking lot anymore, it's more of a crime of opportunity these days.

The only time I still see something like this is at a Level 2 charger right in front of a supermarket or some such place which is far too convenient a parking space to pass up. And it's usually at a spot that's not explicitly signed/marked for EV charging only. But it might be different in your neck of the woods - around here every 3rd car is an EV.

 

[COdogman]

I haven't run into it yet anywhere in CO. Lately I think we are much more likely to get "ICEd" by another EV who used a charger spot without charging so they can do their shopping or eat in a restaurant nearby.

 

[ahoover]

What may I ask is icing’

 

[Donald Stanfield]

What may I ask is icing’

When someone with an ICE (Internal Combustion Engine) vehicle parks in a spot reserved for EV charging, it results in EVs being unable to use that charger.

 

[CharonPDX]

I find it happens more at L2 "destination" style chargers than rapid chargers.

I've seen the Lincoln City, OR RAN's trailer stall get ICEd about 1/4 of the time I've visited it.

The Aberdeen, WA I know was *REGULARLY* ICEd early after its opening. (It's in the parking lot of multiple businesses, and isn't a big parking lot.)

 

[LivingInKaos]

Lincoln City - the last time I was there, most of the chargers were blocked and an RV was in the trailer stall. It's tough in the summer. When the other RV stalls are right next to it, it's easy to understand, especially when they back in - probably never even saw the sign.

I had the pleasure of being with a group of EV's on a drive a little over a year ago and we had a section of road that totally coated our windshields with dirty crap. Several went into a mostly empty gas station along the route to use the windshield cleaner and parked at the pumps to do so. Had one guy in a Dodge diesel yell "Hey, we're supposed to do that to you, no fair !". He waved as he left though, so pretty sure it was just a funny.

 

[RIV206]

I've seen more EV's parked at charging spots not charging than people icing. Was just at seatac and out of the entire row of EV charging spots only 1/4 of them were actually plugged in.

 

[BigSkies]

The only thing I've ever seen is a guy idling in an EV spot while eating his dinner from the drive through. I'm pretty sure it was him being oblivious instead of malicious.

It was one of four chargers (which were all empty), so I charged just fine.

 

[ndmiller]

Yes selfish people are still a thing at least in my neck of the woods and the rest of the US I've experienced. Not unique to EV charging at all.

 

[Dark-Fx]

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[lefkonj]

100% still happens but the only time I experienced it I didn't really need to charge.

 

[southerncadesi]

“Back in my day” we used to call this icing.

…and rereading your post it could still apply.

 

[Eeyore]

What may I ask is icing’

That means that an ICE (internal combustion engine) vehicle is parked in such a way as to block access to an EV charger.

 

[hammick]

Was in Red Lodge, MT last month at the free community L2 chargers by the Library. A hippie in an older Subaru pulled into one of the four EV charging spots. I gave him a shrug and pointed to the sign and he want ballistic. There were plenty of other parking spots but after he was done yelling at me he went and parked on the street. Strange ranger.

I'm glad I didn't have to kick his ass as he probably hadn't showered in some time

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